Hallmarks of Infrastructure Success

Enhancing the quality of life and economic opportunity in any region will require investments in social infrastructure–facilities for civic life, health care, education, and social services–as well as transportation infrastructure–transit, highways, surface streets, and parking. These projects entail considerable risks in design, approval, and execution, and must compete with investments elsewhere in the public and private sectors. Attracting economic and political support of all types for infrastructure will be critical to achieving the region’s potential.

In this article, reprinted with permission from the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, Pillsbury Partner Rob James identifies the hallmarks of projects that tend to realize the greatest success in navigating the risks and meeting the competition.